v. 8 – Yet in like manner these people also, relying on their dreams, defile the flesh, reject authority, and blaspheme the glorious ones.

Devotional:

Each of us, at different times in our lives, finds ourselves in a struggle with those in authority over us. This could include politicians, government officials, teachers, coaches, bosses, parents, or leaders of any sort. And it is often in this struggle with authority that our true character is revealed. In the case
of the impostors, Jude was warning the Church about, they certainly rejected all spiritual authority in the Church creating much discord among the brethren. If you peel back all the layers of their sedition you see a base desire for self-defined freedom. They want to live free of anyone’s rule or reign in their life and want to be lord of their own life. This rejection of God’s sovereign rule and reign over everything is what the Bible calls blasphemy. Blasphemy is commonly taught as the “unforgivable sin” because it is the rejection of God. It is a life lived on purpose in the interest of self-glorification.

True freedom is the ability to do whatever you want to without ever feeling guilt or shame. This is the freedom that Christ offers us. Freedom in Christ is doing whatever He wants us to do and knowing He will never put us to shame or create any guilt. The longer we walk with Him the more our wants conform to His wants and the deeper we walk in this freedom. Heaven is where this freedom will be lived unrestricted for all eternity.

You may ask, “Am I truly free if my freedom is found by doing what someone else wants me to do?” The answer is, YES! The reason it is true freedom is that what He wants for us is far more than we could ever want for ourselves. His plans for us are so far superior to anything we could conjure up. This freedom comes with uncontested joy, unmatched desire, an incredible opportunity, and absolutely no regrets. Jesus says, “If the Son has set you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36). We will never find any version of true freedom in ourselves. It is only through the Son that we have absolute freedom in every layer of life.

In Christ Jesus, we are free from,
Free from the power of sin and death.
Free from our past failures.
Free from the chains of our self-pity.
Free from enslavement to insecurity or pride.
Free from a life alone.
Free from the bottomless pursuit of self.
Free from the lies of the evil one.
Free from the generational sins handed down to us. Free from the wage of sin.
Free from the corruption of the will.

In Christ Jesus, we are free to,
Free to walk in the joy that has been set before us.
Free to live patiently with ourselves and others.
Free to believe the gospel and walk in its power.
Free to be healed and bring healing.
Free to love God with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength. Free to walk with God.
Free to love others as we love ourselves.
Free to share all we have joyfully.
Free to submit ourselves under God’s rule and reign through

Jesus’ Lordship.
Free to live for God’s glory and its infinite worth. Free to trust in Christ’s forgiveness.
Free to be more than a conqueror.
Free. Completely. Free.

REFLECTION:

In what ways have you tried to be lord over your own life? What do you need Christ to free you from today?